New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an independent and comprehensive investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The Congress leaders said devotees who contributed to the temple with faith and devotion deserved complete transparency and accountability in the management of the Trust’s finances.
In their joint letter, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge urged the Prime Minister to order an impartial inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities, make the findings public and disclose the Trust’s financial records. They also criticised the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue, describing it as “unacceptable”.
Congress seeks transparent investigation
The Congress leaders stated that lakhs of devotees had donated their hard-earned money to the temple trust with trust and devotion and now felt “betrayed” by the alleged theft.
Sharing the letter on social media platform X, Kharge said the party was demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
According to the letter, the Congress leaders urged the government to ensure that the investigation covered the handling of all donations, including cash, gold and silver offerings received by the Trust.
Questions raised over Trust administration
Rahul Gandhi and Kharge noted that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted following directions of the Supreme Court, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing its formation in Parliament.
They further claimed that the members of the Trust were appointed by the Union government and alleged that several members were publicly associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliated organisations.
The letter also referred to the Trust’s former general secretary, alleging that he was a close associate of the Prime Minister.
Demand for public disclosure
The Congress leaders urged the Prime Minister to ensure complete transparency by making both the investigation report and the Trust’s financial accounts available to the public.
They said devotees had a right to know how the donations made to the temple had been utilised.
The letter also demanded that anyone found responsible for financial irregularities should be held accountable, irrespective of their position or influence.
“The credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act,” the letter stated, adding that people across the country were closely watching the developments.
Background of the case
The controversy over the alleged misappropriation of temple donations surfaced in the first week of June.
Subsequently, two senior office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust resigned from their positions.
On June 25, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint filed by the Trust regarding the alleged theft of donations.
Police later arrested eight accused in connection with the case. The investigation into the alleged embezzlement is continuing.
Call for accountability
The Congress reiterated that an independent investigation was necessary to restore public confidence and protect the interests of devotees who had contributed to the temple.
The party maintained that transparency in the administration of public religious trusts was essential and that all findings of the investigation should be made public.
The demand comes amid ongoing political debate over the handling of the alleged donation theft case, with the Congress pressing for greater accountability while the police investigation into the matter continues.